Iran has warned South Korea against deploying troops or participating in US-led operations in the Strait of Hormuz, saying such involvement would have “serious consequences.”
The warning followed Seoul’s announcement that it was considering contributing to US security efforts in the strategic waterway, while stressing that no final decision had been made.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei accused South Korea of coming under US pressure and said any military deployment in the Persian Gulf or Strait of Hormuz would amount to direct support for the US.
Tensions between Iran and the US have continued despite an earlier ceasefire, with both sides still exchanging fire around the strategic waterway.
The conflict has severely disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which normally carries about one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas exports.
Iran has also required vessels to obtain permission before transiting the waterway, rejecting a return to the previous system of unrestricted navigation.
